james b. nicola

October 5, 2015 Comments Off on james b. nicola

Attempts

My dear friend did not want the procedure.
She only went in for some literature—
for “a friend.” But it took so long to get through
the mob outside—and just for a brochure—
that she thought, “Better now than later,” and had them do
it right away. So many did not come
who’d had appointments, it was easy to
get a doctor’s appointment the same day.

I visited her in ICU. Some
time later in the day, my dear friend died.

I told this to the protesters outside
and brought a snapshot of her, certain they
would tone it down a bit, or even say
a prayer. Not only did no one pray,
I think I was the only one who cried.